In a study to be published in a forthcoming IEEE Technology and Society researchers at  Missouri University recruited 216 undergraduates, finding that the 30% who met criteria for depression engaged in more file sharing (as for movies and music), gaming, chatting, and very high rate of e-mail usage. Frequent e-mail checking, the authors note, may relate to high levels of anxiety, which also correlates with depression. The study also found indications that depressive people switch between applications frequently in a manner consistent with a lack of concentration – also associated with depressive symptoms.

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